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MEMOK 

V CAPT. LOUIS C. SARTORI, 

UNITED STATES NAVY. 



To the Honorable United States Senate and House of Representatives in 
Congress assembled: 

The undersigned, Louis C. Sartori, now a captain on the active 
list of the Navy of the United States, respectfully petitions your 
honorable bodies that you will authorize and request the President 
of the United States, should he deem it just and proper to do so, to 
nominate him, the said Captain Louis C. Sartori, to be a commodore 
on the active list of the Navy next below Commodore William Rey- 
nolds, being the same relative position on the Navy Register occu- 
pied by him throughout thirty-seven (37) years of honorable service, up 
to and until the special promotions of July 25, 1866. 

Your petitioner respectfully represents that after a service of up- 
wards of forty-four (44) years upon the active list of the Navy, and 
near the period of his retirement, he appeals to your honorable bodies 
to lift from him the degradation placed upon him by the promo- 
tions which took place in July, 1866, whereby twenty-eight (28) of 
his juniors were placed above him, when in the height of his useful- 
ness, in the full discharge of his duty, and while at sea, and that too 
on the eve of and when entitled to promotion to a captain, when he 
found himself at one blow stricken from the high and honorable 
position he had gained by many years of faithful and devoted service. 

During the late war your petitioner was among the very first to 
seek for active service at sea, and was commanding upon the block- 
ade in the early days of the rebellion when the service was most 
harassing to the mind and body ; during the whole of that war he 
was always on duty. That he failed to gain a " battle record " was 
no fault of his, as he made every effort, numerous applications, direct 
and indirect, for such commands as would lead to honorable dis- 
tinction, as letters herewith produced will abundantly prove. All 
his exertions, and all his desires were paralyzed by a power he could 
not overcome. Yet he performed his duty wherever placed, and has 
during forty-four (44) years in the Navy ever maintained a correct 
and honorable deportment, and commanded several vessels, (he be- 
lieves,) with credit and efficiency. A number of officers, in several 
grades, were alike sufferers, most of whom have been restored to 
their original positions, or have retired by age from the active list. 
Some of those advanced have no better record than that of your 
petitioner, and were not so actively employed. 



I — 

2 

Had a few heroic men been selected for extraordinary achieve- 
ments and advanced, your petitioner would not have complained ; 
but when a whole batch of younger officers, some of them from 
seven (7) to nine (9) years his juniors in the service, were thus 
raised above him, he must feel deeply aggrieved, and as a last resort 
appeals to your honorable bodies to restore him to his original and 
proper position on the Navy Register next after Commodore William 
Reynolds, that he may retire (in June, 1874) in honor and with a 
heart filled with gratitude to those who are all powerful to lift this 
injustice from him. 

Your petitioner does not ask for advancement, but simply for 
restoration only to the position he was and is entitled to by seniority, 
by length of service, and by good and faithful conduct. He earn- 
estly solicits that the accompanying bill be passed into a law, as it 
cannot do injustice to anyone, and nearly all who were placed above 
him have been promoted to the grade of commodore. 

His restoration will not interfere with any other officer's promotion, 
inasmuch as his early retirement leaves the road free to all ad- 
vanced who are so much younger in years and in the service. 

Your petitioner further respectfully represents that in laying before 
your honorable bodies this bill for his relief he would state that a 
bill of the same character and import was presented at the last ses- 
sion of the preceding Congress, which promptly passed the House 
Naval Committee and the House of Representatives, and failed alone 
in the Senate, your petitioner thinks, by the Conference Committee, 
which was ordered, being unable to meet on account of the great 
press of business during the closing hours of the session. All the 
papers in relation to his case are on file in the Senate, and your 
petitioner entreats a full and careful consideration of them, as also 
of the annexed papers and letters from several officers who were 
placed above him, and who are willing that your petitioner should 
be restored to his original place on the Navy Register. 

Your petitioner further respectfully states that at the last session 
of Congress, an act was passed which bears particularly hard on his 
case — and in fact it bears upon him alone — although in itself a just 
law. Your petitioner alludes to the act defining the full age of 
sixty-two (62) years as the true meaning of the period of retirement. 
This act prevented his promotion in August last, and will deprive 
him of further advancement, and he will be obliged to retire in June, 
1874, in his present grade of captain, and he is the only one of all 
those passed over in the promotions of 1866 who will not receive 
his full promotion as entitled to by his length of service, (45 years.) 
He, therefore, most earnestly begs your honorable bodies, as the 
only means to lift this mortification and injustice from him, to re- 
store him to his original position on the Navy Register, and relying 
with confidence on your high sense of justice to give him back his 
honorable place and his good name, your petitioner will ever pray, 
&c. 

L. C. SARTORI, 
Captain, United States Navy. 
Washington, D. C, December 1, 1873. 



[Printer's No., 549. 
43d CONGRESS, 1st SESSION.— H. R. 540. 

In the House of Representatives. 

December 15, 1873. 

Read twice, referred to the Committee, on Naval Affairs, and ordered 
to be printed. 

Mr. Kelley, on leave, introduced the following bill : 
A BILL 

To restore Captain Louis C. Sartori to his original position on the 
Navy Register. 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That the President of the 
United States be, and he is hereby, authorized, by and with the ad- 
vice and consent of the Senate, to restore Captain Louis C. Sartori 
to his original position on the Navy Register, next below Commodore 
William Reynolds, on the active list. 



Letters, documents, and testimonials accompanying Captain Louis C. 
Sartor fs memorial to the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States, for restoration to his original position on the Navy Regis- 
ter, the position held by him for the period of thirty-seven years of hon- 
orable service, and of which he was deprived by the special promotion* 
of July 25, 1866. 

COPY OF 

Report on the memorial of Captain L. C. Sartori, asking to be re- 
stored to his former rank by the House Naval Committee : 

Your Committee, after an examination of the facts in the case, 
find :_ 

That Captain Sartori has been in active service in the Navy for 
more than forty-three years ; that he will soon be placed, by reason 
of age, on the retired list ; that in July, 1866, while he was in the 
discharge of his duties on sea service, and while entitled to promo- 
tion to a captaincy by right of seniority, he found all his many years 
of faithful and efficient services set aside by the Navy Department, 
and twenty-eight (28) of his juniors put above him. 

We find that during the late war he was among the very foremost 



and most persistent seekers for active service at sea, as shown by copies 
of earnest appeals to the Secretary of the Navy and others, herewith 
annexed and made a part of this report. That he was placed upon 
blockade duty, but not given such commands as would lead to distinc- 
tion, was not his fault, but in the positions allotted to him he ever 
maintained a correct and honorable character, and commanded several 
vessels with credit and efficiency. 

Your Committee also find that memorialist will be retired by reason 
of age in twelve months, and that he has performed his duty as an 
officer of the United States Navy for so long a period that it would be 
unjust to him and to the service to allow his retirement to a grade less 
than that to what he is entitled by his long career of useful and efficient 
services; and that these services were duly and highly appreciated by 
his superiors is evident from the letters of Rear Admiral Farragut, 
Rear Admiral Thatcher, Rear Admiral Stringham, Commodore Mars- 
ton, Rear Admiral Craven, and of James E. Montgomery, Secretary of 
Admiral Farragut, all of which are herewith annexed and made a part 
of this report. 

Your Committee, therefore, after a full examination of the case, and 
believing that his restoration, on account of his early retirement, will 
not interfere with the promotion even of those juniors who were ad- 
vanced over his head, earnestly recommend the passage of the bill re- 
storing Captain L. C. Sartori to his original position on the Navy 
Register. 



42d CONGRESS, 3d SESSION.— H. R. 3847. 

In the Senate of the United States. 

February 10, 1873. 

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs. 

AX ACT 

To restore Captains Louis C. Sartori, George H. Preble, George H. 
Cooper, and Commander R. F. R. Lewis, of the United States Navy, 
to their original positions on the Navy Register. 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
if America in Congress assembled, That the President of the 
United States be, and he is hereby, authorized to restore Louis C. 
Sartori, George H. Preble, George H. Cooper, captains in the United 
States Navy, now on the active list, and R. F. R. Lewis, a commander 
in the United States Navy, now on the active list, to their original 
positions on the Navy Register 

Passed the House of Representatives February 7, 1873. 

Attest: EDWARD McPHERSON, Clerk. 



Among the papers submitted will be found a letter from Admiral 
Farragut, expressing his regret that he could not fulfill his promise to 
me, namely ; of allowing me to bring the " Portsmouth " into the action 
with the Mobile forts. Months previous to this action, Admiral Far- 
ragut had, at my repeated solicitations for an active steam command, 
given me the " Monongahela ;" and after I had fully prepared her for the 
anticipated passage of the forts, I was relieved by the Department 
sending down Commander Strong. I ihen went to the "Oneida," and 
flattered myself that at least, though an inferior command, I should go 
through the battle with her ; but here again the Department relieved 
me by sending down Commander Le Roy,, my then junior ; and I 
was obliged to return to the " Portsmouth," on picket duty at New 
Orleans, being the only commander's command available at that rim:'. 
As the time approached for the attack, and seeing no probability of a 
steam command, I applied and entreated the Admiral to allow me to 
take in the " Portsmouth," a sailing ship, which the Admiral at last 
granted me, and I made every preparation for that important duty. 

I was allowed to increase her battery, and with a full and excellent 
crew I waited anxiously for the notification the Admiral assured me 
he would give me, when I was to take any available gunboat to tow her 
around to the fleet off Mobile. Almost at the last moment I heard that 
the " Portsmouth " would have to be retained off New Orleans for the 
protection of that place, as most of the Army had been drawn off to 
assist in the attack at Mobile Bay. I then applied to the Admiral for 
the command of the "Oetorara," a small gunboat, in the event of her 
commander, who was absent on leave, not returning in time, and here 
again I was bitterly disappointed, as the Admiral sent me word that he 
had already assigned to her a commander, and thus I was left out, and 
all my aspirations were crushed. (See Admiral Farragut's letter of 
September 24, 1864. 

Again, after the passage of the forts, when Admiral Farragut was 
about to be relieved from the command of the Gulf Squadron, I applied 
to him for the command of the division off Galveston. The Admiral 
assured me that he would attend to the matter on his arrival at Wash- 
ington, but soon after Commodore Benjamin Sands, now Rear Admiral, 
was appointed to that position. Still again, when Rear Admiral 
Thatcher assumed command of the Gulf Squadron, relieving Commo- 
dore Palmer, I applied repeatedly to him for a command, or any 
duty, in the anticipated attack of the city of Mobile ; and as all com- 
mands were filled — I was again debarred from the duty I so ardently 
desired and strove for. (See Admiral Thatcher's letter of June 27, 
1867.) 

Soon after this I was detached from the " Portsmouth," and ordered 
North, without the slightest request or wish on my part. The war 
was then about closing ; and although I had been on duty during 
the whole period, I had been unable to gain the " battle record " I 
had constantly toiled for. Soon after my return home I was again 
ordered to sea, and while on that duty the promotions of 1866 took 
place, and I was passed over by twenty-eight of my juniors, a num- 
ber of whom had no better " battle record " than myself. Against 



this injustice I have now appealed to the highest and only tribunal 
left me, the Congress of the United States ; .and having suffered this 
degradation for upward of seven (7) years, I beg your honorable 
bodies to restore me to my old position, lost through no fault or 
error of my own ; and as I retire in June, 1874, this restoration 
affects not a single officer, and allows me to retire with an honorable 
name and position; whereas, if I am not restored, [ may have to re- 
tire in my present grade of captain, while all the juniors who were 
placed above me are now commodores, and I shall be the only one of 
all who were passed over who will retire without reaching the grade 
of commodore. 

Verv respectfully, your obedient servant, 

L. C. SARTORI, 
Captain, United States Navy. 



U. S. S. " Saranac," 
Navy Yard, Mare Island, Cal., 

January 20,1870. 
Hon. George M. Robeson, 

Secretary of the Navy: 

Sir : I respectfully beg leave to lay before you, as briefly as may 
be, the facts bearing upon my claim to be restored to my former rela- 
tive position on the Navy list, and to earnestly ask your kind atten- 
tion to the same, confident that upon a full understanding of my 
case your high sense of justice will lead to the adoption of such steps 
as may be necessary to secure my reinstatement in my proper posi- 
tion. 

Upon the breaking out of the rebellion, when all was disorder and 
confusion, and the Department scarcely knew whom to trust, I was 
among the very first to seek for active duty at sea, and in April, 1861, 
I was appointed by Commtodore i)u Pont to command the " Flag." 
Pressing forward her preparations, she was soon on the blockade off 
Charleston, and all my time and energies were given to making, of 
the material afforded me, a useful and efficient ship. So untiring 
were my exertions, added to the anxiety and care attending the early 
days of the blockade, that after seven months' incessant activity I 
was compelled by the state of my health to seek a short respite from 
my duties at sea, and so asked for temporary orders only to the Wash- 
ington Yard, where, in a moderate climate, I hoped soon to regain 
my strength, while still actively on duty at that busy station. 

That 1 did not want to shirk duty will appear from my letter of 
the 4th of November, 1861, to the Department, of which I enclose 
a copy, marked *'A." Here, however, my misfortunes began. I 
was condemned by medical survey and ordered to the command of 
the " Ohio," receiving ship, at Boston. After a few mouths' rest 
ami medical care I again applied for sea service, but it was not until 
after ten months of weary effort that my request was granted, and I 



was given command of the " Florida." Then, for several months, 
I was actively engaged again on the Southern coast, but the vessel 
was then ordered to New York for new boilers, and upon arriving I 
was at once detached, and, to my great surprise and mortification, I 
wns ordered to the " Cyane," sailing ship, in the Pacific. 

I hastened to Washington and sought by every means in my 
power to have my orders'changed for more honorable and active 
duty on the Atlantic coast, but without success. 

I therefore sailed from New York to Aspinw T all in the mail 
steamer " Ariel," which was captured by the "Alabama," and I re- 
turned home a prisoner. I was soon exchanged and ordered to com- 
mand the "Portsmouth," another sailing ship, in Admiral Farra- 
gut's squadron. Arriving there, I at once applied to him for a proper 
command, and was assigned to the " Monongahela," but a captain 
was soon sent down by the Department to relieve me. Then I was 
given the " Oneida," and again the Department relieved me. I then 
returned to the " Portsmouth," and, in answer to my frequent ap- 
peals to the Admiral for active duty, he intimated to me that I was 
to be kept in her, the " Portsmouth." 

Finding it hopeless to attempt to get a better ship, I entreated to 
be allowed, with my vessel, to participate in the attack on Mobile, 
and was overjoyed when the Admiral gave me his promise that I 
should . His' letter (a copy of which I enclose, marked "B,") shows 
why I did not. This was very bard to bear, for I had for months 
lived in hopes that I might prove to the Department, in that glorious 
action, how unjustly I had been dealt with during the whole war. 

Thus, sir, you will see from this plain statement of facts, which 
my letters now on file at the Department, and other letters, will fully 
sustain, how hard I strove for such commands as would have given 
me an opportunity, at least, of gaining the " battle record" I so ear- 
nestly longed for. 

That all opportunity was systematically denied me, from first to 
last, all my efforts paralyzed, and myselt subjected to the most bitter 
and undeserved mortifications, I think is equally clear. I have suf- 
fered then and since ; since, because it was the absence of that "bat- 
tle record" which, when the promotions we're made in July, 1866, 
caused my virtual degradation of twenty-five numbers. I claim that 
my loyalty and zeal were second to none ; my wish, and I believe 
my ability, to serve my country as great as those of my comrades in 
the service, and that, therefore, while I cannot claim promotion for 
deeds not performed, I can justly claim my right not to be punished, 
which the action of the Department in fact amounts to, and in view 
of my earnest and manifold efforts for war service, always causelessly 
denied me, I claim that the responsibility for my non-action does not 
rest with me. That I have always done my duty, wherever placed, I 
confidently appeal to the records of the Department for the last forty 
years to show. I can refer also to Admirals Farragut, Stringham, 
Thatcher, Larner, and many others, if necessary. 

Further, sir, I would respectfully ask your attention to the fact 
that the promotions of July, 1866, which deprived me of my rightful 



position on the list, struck a harder blow at me than at any of the 
others who were not promoted. At that time I was near the head 
of the list of commanders. After the promotions were made I found 
myself put down twenty- five numbers in a single day. My place 
was next to Reynolds, and now I am below Corbin; ami even since 
then, three captains — Stevens, Patterson, and Nichols — having been, 
by special Executive nomination, restored to their places, have gone 
above me. They, too, are my juniors, thus increasing the weigl 
already too heavy to be borne calmly. 

The above, sir, are the facts in my especial case, upon which I 
base my claim to restoration to my original place upon the register 
of the Navy. The mortification, the misery of the humiliation thus 
heaped upon me, I will n'ot enlarge upon, since they are common to 
all my fellow-sufferers, and are now, we trust, from the noble senti- 
ments expressed in your late report, to be endured no longer. 

With great respect, I remain your obedient servant, 

L. C. SARTORI, 

Captain, U. S. Navy. 



TJ. S. Steamer << Flag," 
Off Charleston, November 4, 1861. 

Sir : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt this day of your 
order of the 17th of October, detaching me from the command of 
this vessel "on the reporting of your successor, Commander John 
" Rodgers," and to report to Flag Officer L. M. Goldsborough for 
medical survey. 

I am deeply pained to find that the Department has thus viewed 
my application to be detached from this vessel. My condition, physi- 
cally, was such that I deemed it my duty to request a respite of a 
few months from the anxiety, watchfulness, and exposure so neces- 
sary when commanding at this particular period. I feared, as I 
daily apeared to be growing worse, that, this vessel might not be as 
active as she should be. This led to my application ; but I did not 
for a moment desire to be relieved from duty to the Government at 
a period so momentous. On the contrary, I applied to be transferred 
to the Navy Yard at Washington, feeling assured that I could ren- 
der efficient aid to the Department in superintending the repairs and 
fitting out the flotilla now employed on the Potomac, and at the same 
time could be under medical treatment in a comparatively moderate 
climate. I enclose a certificate from the acting surgeon of this ves- 
sel, which fully explains my case, and I entreat the Department to 
revoke its order for a medical survey, and if it cannot assign me 
some duty on shore, where I may render efficient service for a few 
months, I beg to be retained in command of this ship, let the con- 
sequence be what it may to me. 



9 

I cannot for one moment desire to be off duty, but am ready al- 
ways to serve my country with my best energies. 

I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient ser- 
vant, 

L. C. SARTORL 



To Hon. G. Welles, 

Secretary of the Navy, 

Washington, I). C. 



Commander 



U. S. Flagship " Hartford," 
i Mobile Bay, September 24, 1864. 

Captain : When I left New Orleans I promised you that I would, 
if possible, comply with your request by bringing in your vessel to 
Mobile Bay as one of the attacking column, but even the Commander- 
in-Chief cannot always control circumstances so as to keep all his 
promises. Commodore Palmer reported to me your desire and my 
promise, but at the same time stated that he could not, threatened 
as he was, possibly spare the " Portsmouth," as she was the only ves- 
sel he had to rely upon in case of difficulty, and I therefore told him 
that I would not withdraw her, as I then had vessels enough without 
her. I regret that I felt myself constrained to disappoint you, after 
having made the promise, and one I earnestly desired to fulfill. 

When you applied for the " Octarora " I had already assigned a 
commanding officer for her, independent of which, however, I con- 
sidered that your services would be of more advantage to the Gov- 
ernment at New Orleans, in case of any difficulty there. In the 
navy, as well as in the army, there must be outpost pickets, etc., 
usually, too, the most responsible positions, and it rarely happens 
that all can participate in the fight, although they all contribute to 
the success of the battle. 

Very respectfully, 

D. G. FARRAGUT, 

Rear Admiral. 
To Commander Louis C. Sartori, 

U. S. S. "Portsmouth," 

New Orleans. 



U. S. Receiving Ship " Ohio," 

Boston, March 4, 1862. 

Sir : I have the honor to report myself ready for active duty, my 
health being sufficiently re-established. I return my sincere thank 



10 

to the Department for its consideration in ordering me to this ship 
on my return from sea in November last. 

I now respectfully request a command on active duty, where I 
may hope to be of more service to my country. I should be highly 
gratified should the Department see fit to bestow upon me the com- 
mand of the new sloop ' ; Juniata," should my services not be re- 
quired before she could be got ready for sea, but I am ready at once 
to obey any orders from the Department. 

I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient ser- 
vant, 

L. C. SARTORI, 

Commander. 
To the Hon. Gideon Welles, 

Secretary of the Navy, 

Washington, D. C. 



U. S. Receiving Ship " Ohio," 

Boston, May 11, 1862. 

_ Sir : I earnestly and respectfully request the Department to con- 
sider my application of the 1st of March, made for an active command, 
I am ready at the earliest moment, and painfully anxious to share 
with my brother officers the dangers and glory of what they are now 
going through. I beg respectfully to name the " Tioga," fitting out 
at this place ; the side-wheel boat building at Bordentown, New 
Jersey ; the " Monongahela," at Philadelphia, or any vessel that may 
be soon in service. 

I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient ser- 
vant, 

L. C. SARTORI, 

Commander. 
Hon. Gideon Welles, 

Secretary of the Navy, 

Washington, D. C. 



Philadelphia, November 20, 1862. 

Sir: I have just learned from a reliable source that the repairs 
to the IT. S. steamer " Florida" will not require over two months to 
complete. I therefore most respectfully request to be restored to her 
command, and that my orders to the fj. S. sloop " Cyane," on the 
Pacific, may be revoked, especially as I have just been informed that 
she requires extensive repairs, which may delay her at San Francisco 
a long time. 

I have ever been most anxious to serve faithfully my Government ; 
my whole soul is filled with desire to aid in crushing out this rebel- 



11 

lion, and it is a terrible blow to me to be sent at this time so far from 
the scene of action. 

I earnestly entreat your consideration, and request to be restored- 
to the " Florida," or to the command of any vessel along the At- 
lantic coast. 

I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient ser- 
vant, 

L. C. SARTORI, 

Commander. 
Hon. Gideon Welles, 

Secretary of the Navy, 

Washington, D. 0. 



U. S. Flagship " Hartford," 

Mobile Bay, West Gulf Squadron, 

September 25, 1864. 

My Dear Sir : I told the Admiral what you wrote to me, and a 
letter which you will receive from him with this so fully answers 
yours as to render it unnecessary for me to do more than to express 
my regrets at your having been so much disappointed. This must, 
however, always be the fate of some in all military operations. All 
points must be" protected, although, perhaps, the fighting takes place 
at only one of them at last. 

It was unfortunate for you that, just before our attack on Mobile 
Bay, one of those periodic alarms for the safety of New Orleans was 
in full force ; otherwise things must have turned out differently for 
you. 

Yours truly, 

P. DRAYTON. 
Captain L. C. Sartori, 

U. S. S. "Portsmouth," 

New Orleans. 



North Pacific Squadron, 

U. S. Flagship " Saranac," 

Off Mare Island, June 27, 1867. 

Sir : By request of L. C. Sartori, U. S. Navy, I have the honor to 
inform the Department that this officer commanded the sloop "Ports- 
mouth" most of the time during my command of the Gulf Squad- 
ron until that vessel was ordered North, and during the. preparation 
for the attack on Mobile, Commander Sartori applied for the^ com- 
mand of one of the attacking vessels, or to serve in any capacity in 
the expedition where his services might be required j but, as the 



12 

fleet was fully officered, his services were not brought into requisi- 
tion, though I recommend him to the Department for the zeal which 
he manifested. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

H. K. THATCHER, 

Rear Admiral. 
Hon. Gideon Welles, 

Secretary of the Navy, 

Washington, D. C. 



Office of Port Admiral, New York, 
106 Hicks Street, Brooklyn, 
October 16, 1869. 

Captain Louis C. Sartori, TJ. S. N. : 

Sir : Your letter of October 8 has been received, and I would state 

in reply thereto that your conduct while in command of the "Flag," 

and under my command in 1861, was in all respects that of a vigilant 

and energetic officer, and at all times met with my hearty approval. 

I am, very respectfully, &c, 

S. H. STRINGHAM, 

Hear Admiral, U- 8. N, 

Port Admiral, New York. 



Philadelphia, December 22, 1869. 

My Dear Sir : I learn with pleasure that you are endeavoring to 
reo-ain your original position on the register, and all my recollections 
of you are so very favorable that I cannot but hope that you will 
be successful in the attainment of your wishes, and trusting that you 
will do so I remain, very truly, your friend, 

JOHN MARSTON, 

Commodore, U. 8. N. 
Captain L. C. Sartori, 

U. 8. Steamer "Ossipe." 



Vallejo, Cal., Jan. 22, 1871. 

Sir : It affords me great pleasure to state that Capt. L. C. Sartori, 
during the nine months he was under my command in the North 
Pacific Squadron, performed his duties zealously and with good 
judgment. The vessel which he commanded was at all times in a 



13 

fine state of efficiency and discipline, and I consider him to be a 
good and intelligent officer. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

THOMAS T. CRAVEN, 



Hon. George M. Robeson, 

Secretary of the Navy, 

Washington, D. C. 



Rear Admiral. 



New York, February 9, 1871. 

Sir ; Observing that a board has been convened to examine into 
the cases of certain naval officers who consider that they were un- 
justly overlooked in the promotion authorized by the law of 1866, I 
deem it my duty to make known to the Department the express 
wishes of the late Admiral Farragut in regard to Captain Sartori. 
On his last visit to "Washington, about one year ago, the late Admi- 
ral stated his intention to speak to you in person about Captain Sar- 
tori, for the purpose of urging the restoration of that officer to his 
original position on the Naval Register. As you are well aware, sir, 
the threatening illness of the Admiral at that time hastened his re- 
turn to New York before he had accomplished many of the principal 
objects of his visit, and as he entertained grave doubts of his recov- 
ery, he repeatedly referred to the convening of such a board, and 
upon several occasions requested me, on no account, to neglect to 
write a strong letter to the Department in behalf of this officer, 
stating that he was attached to the squadron under his command, for 
two years, during the most active operations in the Gulf, and on the 
Lower Mississippi, and during this entire period was so zealous and 
energetic in the performance of the duties assigned him, and so faith- 
ful and unremitting in his services to his country, that he considered 
his restoration an act of " simple justice to a gallant officer." As 
suring you, sir, that in taking this course I am acting as the represen- 
tative of the late Admiral Farragut, and simply executing his wishe 
in respect to one of the several officers he particularly mentioned as 
desiring to serve, I have to request that this letter may be forwarded 
to the board now in session for the benefit of the officer interested. 

I havs the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

JAMES E. MONTGOMERY, 

Secretary of the late Admiral Farragut. 
Hon. George M. Robeson, 

Secretary of the Navy. 



14 

Office of Light-House Inspector, 

Twelfth District, 
San Francisco, Cal., July 8, 1873. 

Dear Sartori : Iu answer to your note of July 7th, it affords me 
much pleasure to state that it would gratify me very much to see you 
reinstated in your original position on the Navy Register. I have 
always expressed myself in this way, as you can find out from Cap- 
tain Russell, and other officers. 

Wishing you success, I remain, yours truly, 

J. H. SPOTTS. 
Captain L. C. Sartori, 

Navy Yard, Mare Island, Cal. 



105 North Charles Street, 

Baltimore, July 15, 1873. 

Dear Sartori : Your letter of 7th instant reached me this A. M.. 
and in reply I have to state I have never opposed any officer in his 
exertions to be restored to what he considers his proper position in 
the service, and of course should do nothing in opposition to you. 
If Congress thinks you should take your original place on the Regis- 
ter, I shall be glad to see your name there, although it will be above 
me. 

I remain, truly yours, 

EDWARD DONALDSON. 



Buffalo, New York, July 15, 1873. 

My Dear Sartori : I am in receipt of your note of the 7th instant, 
informing me of your intention to renew your exertions with the 
next Congress for restoration to your proper position in the Navy. 

I take pleasure in informing you that I will not make any objec- 
tion to your restoration to your original position on the Navy Regis- 
ter. 

With former regards, I am, very respectfully yours, 

N. COLLINS, U. S. N. 

Captain L. C. Sartori, U. 8. N., 

Navy Yard, Mare Island, Cal. 



Navy Yard, Pensacola, 
19th July, 1873. 

My Dear Sartori : Yours of the 7th instant was received yester- 
day, and I answer your question by saying " in all candor and with 
il the friendly feelings of past years," and of the present time, that 



15 

I would not object to such an act of justice, and that you are at full 
liberty to use my name to that effect. I hope you may succeed in 
obtaining tull justice. 

Accept for yourself the renewal of the old, kind, and warm friend- 
snip ot years gone by. 
Yours truly, 

M. B. WOOLSEY. 



Georgetown, D. C, July 24, 1873. 

My Dear Sartori : I received your letter yesterday, and hasten 
to answer that owing to certain reasons which control me in that 
matter, referred to in your letter, I am unable to take any action 
either one way or the other. 
I am, yours very truly, 



JOHN GUEST. 



Captain Sartori, V. S. N., 

Mare Island Navy Yard. 



lExtract.] 

Catskill Mountains, July 31, 1873. 

Dear Sir : As I know of nothing to your disadvantage, I will 
not oppose your efforts to recover your original position, yet I feel 
that I cannot properly further your memorial to Congress, for the 
reason that we have not been associated together socially or pro- 
fessionally. ***** 
Very respectfully, 



D. McN. FAIRFAX. 



Captain L. C. Sartori, U. S. N., 

Navy Yard, Mare Island, Cat. 



Norfolk, August 3, 1873. 

My Dear Sartori: Your favor is at hand, and in reply I have to 
state that, in my opinion, so many outrageous acts of injustice were 
committed by the parties upon whom devolved the final execution 
of the law for promotion for war services, and the spirit of the law 
so flagrantly violated, that nothing would give me more satisfaction 
than to see the whole thing wiped out, and everybody restored to 
their original position. Such being the sentiments I entertain upon 
the subject, if the wholesale wrong cannot be remedied by whole- 
sale measure, you may rest assured that no officer will meet with 



u 

any opposition from me who seeks restoration to his original posi- 
tion ; and, moreover, they shall have my best wishes for their suc- 
cess. 

Yours, very truly, 

T. H. STEVENS, 



Mare Island Navy Yard, 
October 21, 1873. 

Bear Sir : It gives me much pleasure to state that during our 
services together in this yard, covering a period of about three 
and a half months, I have ever found you attentive and zealous in 
the performance of your often unpleasant duties. 

I have read attentively your papers in regard to your service dur- 
ing the war, and they prove clearly, I think, that it was not from any 
lack of effort on your part that you did not have service under fire. 
I shall be pleased to hear that you are restored. 
Very truly yours, 

JOHN RODGERS, 

Hear Admiral, U. S. iV T . 

Captain Louis C. Sartori, U. S. N. 



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